Aeroplane



GiREEL AEROPLANE July 5, 1932.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 2. 1928 INVENTOR BY EWQMW P ATTORNEYS July 5, 1932. G. REEL 1,865,789

AEROPLANE Original Filed March 2. 192a SSheets-fiheet 2 g INVENTOR ATTORNEY! GL REEL AEROPLANE Jul 5, 1932.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed March 2. 1928 I NVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES GORDON REEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AEROPLAJIE Application med larch 2, 1928, Serial-No. 258,508. Renewed February 17, 1930.'

This invention relates to aeroplanes and has for an object the provision of improved landing gear by means of which maximum efliciency of control in landing and taking off and minimum resistance to the flight of the craft are rovided. The invention further contemp ates the provision of an improved amphibian aeroplane.

The invention in one of its aspects contem- 1 plates the provision of improved landlng gear by means of which hydro-aeroplanes may be made amphibious without any material increase in weight, water resistance or air resistance. One of the types of hydroaeroplanes in common use atthe present time is provided with landing gear comprislng a single centrally disposed relatively large pontoon and a relatively small pontoon or float on each side of the central pontoon near the end of the wing. The central pontoon is sufficient to float the craft at rest on the water, and the smaller pontoons serve to balance the craft on the central pontoon while it is at rest or while it is alighting on or taking off from the surface of the water. In craft of this type, when on the water, steering is accomplished by means of the usual air rudder.

The resent invention contemplates the conversion of this type of hydro-aeroplane to an amphibian aeroplane by mounting a single wheel on the central pontoon, by providing a suitable tail skid which also serves as a rudder for water purposes, and by providing suitable wing skids which function to balance the craft on the wheel and tail skid. The wheel is preferably mounted for vertical movement in a downwardly opening pocket or guideway in the central pontoon, and means are provided for moving the wheel from an operative position in which a por-' tion thereof extends below the bottom of the pontoon to an inoperative position in which it is contained entirely within the pontoon. The pocket or guideway is provided with hinged shutters which automatically open and close as the wheel is extended and withdrawn, and which serve to eliminate air and water resistance which would result from leaving the pocket or guideway open.

The tail skid is of relatively strong constructionand so formed and mounted that the lower portion thereof extends below the bottom of the pontoon when the wheel is extended. The wheel and tail skid are preferably provided with shock absorbers and the tail s id pivot is disposed at such an angle to the control wires that these wires remain taut for all normal positions of the tail skid relatively to the pontoon. The tail skid control wires are preferably attached to the pilots air rudder bar in order that the tail skid and air rudder may be flexed in unison.

The wing skids, which are strips of resilient material, are preferably pivotally mounted on the wing floats for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the central pontoon. Means are provided for rotating these skids, and the wing pontoons are preferably so formed that the skids may be moved to horizontal positions in which they offer substantially no air or water resistance.

The improved landing gear of the invention may also be applied to aeroplanes suitable only for land use. In such application a single central wheel and housing therefor are provided together with a suitable tail skid, and the wing skids may be attached directly to the wings.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an amphibian aeroplane embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1 and showing the wheel and a portion of the wheel supporting and controlling means;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the wheel, and shows the wheel supporting means and guideway therefor in section;

Fig. 4 shows a section through the tail skid or rudder taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of file craft shown in Fig. 1; m9

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Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the wing float or pontoon and the adjacent portion of the wing, and showing a wing skid and a portion of the o crating means therefor;

Fig. 'i is a section taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows a modified form of mounting for a wing skid;

Fig. 10 shows a wing skid attached directly to a wing; and

Fig. 11 is a section taken substantially on line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Figures 1 and 5 show two Views of an amphibian aeroplane embodying the present invention and comprising a central pontoon 20, wing 21, and fuselage 22, similar in essential details of structure and arrangement to those of well-known types of hydro-aeroplanes. The longitudinal axes of the pontoon and fuselage are substantially parallel and the wing extends transversely thereof. The pontoon and fuselage are connected by means of front and rear streamline struts 23 and 24, and a central hollow streamline strut 25 which is attached to the fuselage structure immediately below the forward central porti on of the internal structure of the wing.

A wheel 26 is rotatably supported in lugs 27 which depend from a casing 30 mounted substantially vertical reciprocating movement in a downwardly opening pocket or guideway 31 formed in the central pontoon 20. The pocket 31 is disposed substantially centrally between the longitudinal. side edges of the central pontoon and in substantially direct alignment with the hollow central strut 25. Ridges 32 are formed on the end walls 33 of the pocket 31 and extend into grooves 34 on the wheel supporting casing 30. The ridges 32 and grooves 34 serve as guide means for the wheel supporting casing, but they may be dispensed with, as the pocket or guideway 31 and wheel supporting casing 30 are substantially elliptical in cross-section :fiind so formed as to provide a close sliding The wheel supporting casing 30 is supported by a screw 35 which extends upwardly through the central hollow strut 25 and through a sprocket nut 36 which is rotatably mounted and anchored against vertical movement in the internal structure 37 of the wing. A shock absorber 40 of suitable design and structure is mounted between the screw 35 and the wheel supporting casing 30. A crank mechanism 41 and chain 42 are provided for rotating the sprocket nut 36 and thus lowering or raising the wheel supporting casing 30 and wheel 26.

As shown in Fig. 1, the pocket. 31 is sufficiently large to completely enclose the wheel 26 when the wheel is in its retracted position. The wheel supporting casing is preferably only sufficiently large to encase substantially the upper half of the wheel and a stop collar 43 is removably mounted on the upper end portion of the screw 35 for the purpose of so limiting the downward movement of the screw that the major portion of the wheel supporting casing 30 remains within the pocket 31 when the wheel is in its extended position. In order to avoid air or water resistance which might result from leaving the pocket 31 open when the wheel is in its retracted position, shutters 44 for closing the well are provided. The shutters are preferably hingedly connected to the bottom of the central pontoon and springs 45 are provided for yieldably holding the shutters in their closed positions.

A tail skid 46 is mounted on the rear end of the central pontoon and provided with a rudder bar 47 to which are attached control wires 50. The tail skid is so formed and mounted that its lower edge portion rests upon the ground and supports the rear end portion of the craft when the wheel is extended. A shock absorber 51 is provided for the tail skid and the mounting of the tail skid is such that the rudder bar moves in a line substantially perpendicular to the control wires. Thus, the control wires remain taut for all normal positions of the tail skid. In order to eliminate undue wear on the tail skid, the wooden body portion is provided with a removable metal shoe 52. The shoe 52 has a reduced portion 53 capable of penetrating through the surface of the ground and thus aiding in steering the craft when in motion on the ground. The control wires are attached to the pilots rudder bar 48 to which the air rubber wires 49 are also attached. Thus the tail skid and air rudder may be flexed in unison and the steering of the craft on land and water is considerably facilitated.

The preferred arrangement of wing skids for amphibian aeroplanes is shown clearly in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. The wing tip pontoons or floats 54 are attached to the wing by means of substantially vertically extending streamline casings 55 which may extend substantially centrally through the floats 54 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The wing skids 56', which are preferably formed of wood and provided with metal shoes, are pivotally mounted for rotation about transverse horizontal axes in grooves 57 formed in the bottom portions of the floats 54.

Each skid 56 is provided with a slot 60 in which a block 61 is mounted for sliding movement. A rod 62 is pivotally attached to the block 61 and extends vertically through the casing 55. Rod 62 is pivotally attached at its upper end to a block 63 which is mounted for sliding movement in a slot 64 formed in a lever 65. The lever 65 is rigidly connected to a tube 66 extending longitudinall throughthe win and rotatably supoorte in brackets 67. or rotating the tube 66 there is provided mechanism (Fig. 1) comprising a lever 68 rigidly attached to the tube 66, a hand lever 59 and a link member 69 pivotally attached at its ends to the levers 59 and 68. The lever 59 is provided with a catch member which cooperates with a rack 58 for locking the tube 66 in its adjusted position.

Figure 9 shows an arrangement in which the wing skid is pivotally attached to the float 54 at one side thereof. In this modification, the skid is operated in substantially the same manner as in the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but this structure is not as advantageous as the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7 for the reason that no groove for encasing the skid and thereby avoiding air and water resistance is provided. Thus, the skid 56 is connected w1th the tube 66 by means of the rod 62 which extends through a streamline casing 70 attached to the float 54 at one side thereof.

Figures 10 and 11 show a modification in which the skid is attached directly to the wing. This structure is advantageous when it is desired to provide a land craft with a single central wheel and the Wing skids of the invention. The skid 72 is pivotally mounted in bracket 71 which projects below the lower surface of the wing. The skid 72 is so curved as to conform to the contour of the under surface of the wing in order that it may be held in substantially direct contact therewith when not in use, for the purpose of eliminating air resistance.

The skid 72 is provided with a slot 73 in which a block 7 4 is mounted for sliding movement. A lever 7 5 is pivotally attached at one end to the block 74 and extends upwardlyto the interior of the win structure through a slot 7 6 in the lower sur ace of the wing. The upper end portion of the lever 7 5 is rigidly connected to a tube 7 7 which is mounted with-:

in the wing and which may be operated .in substantially the same manner as the tube 66 in the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7. When a craft embodying the invention is in the air or upon the water, the wheel and wing skids are locked in their retracted positions. In a craft of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the wing skids 56 are substantially entirely contained within the grooves57, the wheel 26 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fi 1, and the pocket 31 is closed by means of t e shutters 44 which are held in position by the springs 45.

When the pilot wishes to alight upon land, he operates the crank mechanism 41 to move the wheel downwardly to the. extended position shown in Fig. 1, the wheel and casing 30 opening the shutters 44 against the action of the springs 45. As the craft approaches the ground, he draws the hand lever 59 rear-, 'wardly, thus rotating the tube 66 and moving the end portions of the skids 56 downwardl The end portions of the skids are preferab y first moved to ositions below those to which they extend w en the craft is at rest upon the ground. As the craft settles toward the ground the win skids come into contact with the ground an serve to balance the craft. The, pilot retains his hold upon the o crating 7 lever 59 and thus controls the wing s 'ds until the wheel and tail skid are in contact with the ground. He then locks the wing skids in position in contact with the ground by means of the rack 58 and locking mechanism carried by the lever 59. Thus the craft when at rest or in motion upon the ground is SUP-m ported by the wheel and tail skid and balanced by means of the wing skids.

While the craft is in motion upon the as ground the pilot may, by operating the rudder bar 48, utilize both the tail skid and air rudder for steering purposes.

I claim 1. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said bod a wheel mounted on said body, a tail ski ,adjustablc wing skids for balancing said machine on said wheel and tail skid, and means under the control of the pilot for manipulating said wing skids.

2. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, adjustable wing skids, and means extending through said wing for manipulating said wing skids.

3. A. flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, wheel means for supporting said machine, adjustable wing skids disposed on opposite sides of said central body and adapted to act simultaneously to balance said machine on said wheel means, and means under the control of the pilot for manipulating said wing skids.

4. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, wheel means J for supporting said machine, adjustable wing I15 skids disposed on opposite sides of said body, and means for manipulating said wing skids,

said wing skids being movable to positions in which they olier minimum resistance to flight said wing, a tube extending longitudinally through said wing and rotatably mounted therein, means operatively connecting said skids and said tube, means for rotating said tube, and means for locking said tube against rotation.

8. A flying machine adapted to alight, upon land, comprising a main structure including a wing extending transversely thereof, means, arranged adjacent the longltudinal center of the main structure capable of supporting the same in spaced relation to the ound when in contact therewith and of withstanding the strain of alighting of the machine, said supporting means being extendable downwardly to a desired degree, and means arranged adjacent each end of the wing extendable downwardly a suflicient degree to permit the lateral balancing of the machine upon said supporting means when the supporting means and the means adjacent the wing ends are positioned with respect to one another so that said means is extended downwardly at least to the degree of extension of the supporting means.

9. A flying machine adapted to alight upon land, comprising a main structure including a wing extending transversely across the machine, a wheel mounted adjacent the longitudinal center of the main structure capable of supporting the same in spaced relation to the ground when in contact therewith and of withstanding the strain of alighting of the machine, a skid arranged adjacent each end of the wing movable to a position where they project downwardly a suificient degree to permit the lateral balancing of the machine upon said wheel, and means'for effecting the operation of both skids simultaneously so that they can be projected downwardly at least to the degree of extension of the wheelfor simultaneous engagement with the ground.

10. An amphibian aeroplane comprising a central pontoon, a wheel mounted on said pontoon, a wing extending transversely oi the longitudinal axis of said pontoon, wing floats for balancing said machine on said pontoon on water, and adjustable wing skids adapted to act simultaneously to balance said machine on said wheel on land.

11. An amphibian aeroplane comprising a cent'ral pontoon having a downwardly opening poc et therein, a win extending transversely of the, longitudina axis of said pontoon, a, wheel mounted within said pocket and movable from an inoperative position within said pocket to an operative position in which a portion thereof iprojects below the bottom pf said pontoon, oats mounted on stud win adjustable skid members mounted on said oats, and means under the control of the pilot, for manipulating said skid mem-, I

bers.

12. In an amphibian aeroplane comprising a central ontoon and a wing extending transversely o the longitudinal axis of said pontoon, a float mounted below said wing, a casing supporting said float, a resilient skid pivotally mounted on said float, and means for manipulating said skid extendingthrough said casing and said float.

14:. In an amphibian aeroplane, a float having an opening extending therethrough between its side edges and a groove in its bottom portion communicating with said opening, a skid pivotally mounted in said groove, and a rod for manipulating said skid slidably connected with said skid and extending throu h said opening.

15. n a monoplane, centrally disposed supporting means, adjustable wing skids disposed on opposite sides of said supporting means, and means under the control of the pilot for manipulating said wing skids.

16. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, a wheel mounted on said body, a tail skid, adjustable skids attached to the Wing for balancing said machineon said wheel and tail skid, and means. under control of the pilot for manipulatingsaid skids.

17 'A-flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, adjustable skids attached to the wing, and means extending through said wing for manipulating said skids.

18. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a. wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, wheel means for supporting said machine, adjustable skids attached to the wing on the opposite sides of the central body and adapted to act simultaneously to balance said machine on said wheel-means, and means under the control of the pilot for manipulating said skids.

19. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, wheel means for supporting said machine, adjustable skids attached to said wing on opposite sides of said body, and means for manipulating said skids, said skids being movable to positions in which they offer minimum resistance to flight and to positions in which they act simultaneously to balance the machine on the wheel means.

20. A flying-machine comprising a central body, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, a wheel 15 mounted substantially centrally on said body, a tail skid, and adjustable skids attached to said wing forbalancing said machine on said wheel and tail skid.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature,

go GORDON REEL. 

